Panasonic FZ1000 II vs TZ100

The Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ100 (labelled Panasonic ZS100 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively,
in February 2019 and January 2016. Both the FZ1000 II and the TZ100 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with an one-inch sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 20 megapixels.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II and the
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ100? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors,
their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Panasonic FZ1000 II vs TZ100

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Panasonic FZ1000 II and the Panasonic TZ100 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The TZ100 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the FZ1000 II is
only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size,
the Panasonic TZ100 is considerably smaller (45 percent) than the Panasonic FZ1000 II. Moreover, the TZ100 is substantially lighter (61 percent) than the FZ1000 II. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the FZ1000 II nor the TZ100 are weather-sealed.

Concerning battery life, the FZ1000 II gets 350 shots out of its DMW-BLC12 battery,
while the TZ100 can take 300 images on a single charge of its DMW-BLG10 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left
comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and
choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The TZ100 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 22 percent) than the FZ1000 II, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Panasonic FZ1000 II vs TZ100

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an one-inch sensor and have a format factor
(sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.7. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras
that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 20 megapixels.
This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the FZ1000 II and the TZ100 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the FZ1000 II is much more recent (by 3 years and 1 month) than the TZ100, and its sensor
will have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 80-25600.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ100 offers exactly the same ISO settings.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

Camera Model

Sensor Class

Resolution (MP)

Horiz. Pixels

Vert. Pixels

Video Format

DXO Portrait

DXO Landscape

DXO Sports

DXO Overall

Camera Model

Panasonic FZ1000 II»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Panasonic FZ1000 II

Panasonic TZ100«

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

22.8

12.5

559

70

Panasonic TZ100

Canon G3 X«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

1080/60p

21.4

12.3

521

63

Canon G3 X

Canon G5 X«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

1080/60p

-

-

-

-

Canon G5 X

Canon M3«»

APS-C

24.0

6000

4000

1080/30p

22.8

11.8

1169

72

Canon M3

Leica C-LUX«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Leica C-LUX

Panasonic LX100 II«»

Four Thirds

16.8

4736

3552

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Panasonic LX100 II

Panasonic TZ200«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Panasonic TZ200

Panasonic ZS200«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Panasonic ZS200

Panasonic FZ2500«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Panasonic FZ2500

Panasonic LX15«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Panasonic LX15

Panasonic FZ1000«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

22.1

11.7

517

64

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX100 V«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

22.8

12.4

586

70

Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 IV«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

22.8

12.6

591

70

Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 III«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

1080/60p

22.4

12.3

495

67

Sony RX100 III

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison: Panasonic FZ1000 II vs TZ100

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder.
However, the one in the FZ1000 II offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the TZ100 (2360k vs 1166k dots). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Panasonic FZ1000 II and Panasonic TZ100 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

Camera Model

Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots)

Control Panel (yes/no)

LCD Size (inch)

LCD Resolution ('000 dots)

LCD Attach- ment

Touch Screen (yes/no)

Mech Shutter Speed

Shutter Flaps (1/sec)

Built-in Flash (yes/no)

Built-in Image Stab

Camera Model

Panasonic FZ1000 II»

2360

n

3.0

1240

swivel

Y

1/4000s

12.0

Y

Y

Panasonic FZ1000 II

Panasonic TZ100«

1166

n

3.0

1040

fixed

Y

1/2000s

10.0

Y

Y

Panasonic TZ100

Canon G3 X«»

-

n

3.2

1620

tilting

Y

1/2000s

5.9

Y

Y

Canon G3 X

Canon G5 X«»

2360

n

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

1/2000s

5.9

Y

Y

Canon G5 X

Canon M3«»

-

n

3.0

1040

tilting

Y

1/4000s

4.2

Y

n

Canon M3

Leica C-LUX«»

2330

n

3.0

1240

fixed

Y

1/2000s

10.0

Y

Y

Leica C-LUX

Panasonic LX100 II«»

2764

n

3.0

1240

fixed

Y

1/4000s

11.0

n

Y

Panasonic LX100 II

Panasonic TZ200«»

2330

n

3.0

1240

fixed

Y

1/2000s

10.0

Y

Y

Panasonic TZ200

Panasonic ZS200«»

2330

n

3.0

1240

fixed

Y

1/2000s

10.0

Y

Y

Panasonic ZS200

Panasonic FZ2500«»

2360

n

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

1/4000s

12.0

Y

Y

Panasonic FZ2500

Panasonic LX15«»

-

n

3.0

1040

tilting

Y

1/4000s

10.0

Y

Y

Panasonic LX15

Panasonic FZ1000«»

2359

n

3.0

921

swivel

n

1/4000s

12.0

Y

Y

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX100 V«»

2359

n

3.0

1229

tilting

n

1/2000s

24.0

Y

Y

Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 IV«»

2359

n

3.0

1228

tilting

n

1/2000s

16.0

Y

Y

Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 III«»

1440

n

3.0

1229

tilting

n

1/2000s

10.0

Y

Y

Sony RX100 III

The FZ1000 II has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by
vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the TZ100 does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while
others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature
an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or
shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Panasonic FZ1000 II and the Panasonic TZ100 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to
capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Both the FZ1000 II and the TZ100 have zoom lenses built in. The FZ1000 II has a 25-400mm f/2.8-4.0 optic and the TZ100 offers a 25-250mm f/2.8-5.9 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the FZ1000 II and TZ100 provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the TZ100 has less tele-photo reach at the long end. Both cameras offer the same maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the FZ1000 II and the TZ100 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison: Panasonic FZ1000 II vs TZ100

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II and Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ100 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

Camera Model

Hotshoe Port

Internal Microphone

Internal Speaker

Microphone Port

Headphone Port

HDMI Port

USB Type

WiFi Support

NFC Support

Bluetooth Support

Camera Model

Panasonic FZ1000 II»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

Y

Panasonic FZ1000 II

Panasonic TZ100«

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Panasonic TZ100

Canon G3 X«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

mini

2.0

Y

Y

-

Canon G3 X

Canon G5 X«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

mini

2.0

Y

Y

-

Canon G5 X

Canon M3«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

mini

2.0

Y

Y

-

Canon M3

Leica C-LUX«»

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Leica C-LUX

Panasonic LX100 II«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

Y

Panasonic LX100 II

Panasonic TZ200«»

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Panasonic TZ200

Panasonic ZS200«»

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Panasonic ZS200

Panasonic FZ2500«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Panasonic FZ2500

Panasonic LX15«»

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Panasonic LX15

Panasonic FZ1000«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX100 V«»

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Sony RX100 V

Sony RX100 IV«»

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Sony RX100 IV

Sony RX100 III«»

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Sony RX100 III

It is notable that the FZ1000 II has a hotshoe, while the TZ100 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily
attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

The FZ1000 II is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Panasonic.
In contrast, the TZ100 has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the TZ100 was succeeded by the Panasonic TZ200. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Panasonic website.

Review summary: Panasonic FZ1000 II vs TZ100

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Panasonic FZ1000 II or the Panasonic TZ100 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

More modern: Reflects 3 years and 1 month of technical progress since the TZ100 launch.

Arguments in favor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ100:

More compact: Is smaller (111x65mm vs 136x97mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.

Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 498g or 61 percent) and is thus easier to take along.

More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (22 percent cheaper at launch).

More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in January 2016).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the FZ1000 II is the clear winner of the match-up (12 : 4 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges
from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera
is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

FZ1000 II 12:04 TZ100

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Panasonic FZ1000 II and the Panasonic TZ100 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest
Best Superzoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the FZ1000 II or the TZ100 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews: Panasonic FZ1000 II vs TZ100

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge,
reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.